About New Hanover County
New Hanover County is located in the southeastern corner of North Carolina along the Atlantic Ocean coast, acting as a major coastal hub with a population of approximately 234,000 residents as of recent estimates. New Hanover County Seat is Wilmington, North Carolina's eighth-largest city, which is the economic and cultural center of the Cape Fear region. New Hanover County includes approximately 328 square miles, including 199 square miles of land and significant water area along the Cape Fear River estuary and Atlantic coastline.
- New Hanover County Register of Deeds office, located at 230 Government Center Drive in Wilmington, maintains official land records and vital statistics.
New Hanover County is home to iconic landmarks including the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial, Airlie Gardens, historic downtown Wilmington with its riverwalk, and popular beach communities such as Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Established in 1729 as one of North Carolina's original precincts, New Hanover County has a rich colonial and maritime history, playing significant roles in the American Revolution, Civil War (including the Battle of Fort Fisher), and acting as a major port city. New Hanover County is unique as North Carolina's smallest county by land area but one of its most densely populated and economically vibrant coastal communities.
New Hanover County Clerk's office operates within the courthouse system, while New Hanover County Tax Assessor's office, also at the Government Center complex, handles property valuations and tax records. New Hanover County government operates under a council-manager form of government with five County Commissioners. New Hanover County's coastal location, film industry presence (earning Wilmington the nickname 'Hollywood East'), historic architecture, and educational institutions including the University of North Carolina Wilmington make it a distinctive southeastern North Carolina destination.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in New Hanover County. It provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas, operates New Hanover County jail, and processes arrests. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives and specialized divisions such as narcotics and K-9 units, which are tailored to address specific local needs.
Police Departments
In addition to New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within New Hanover County, including the Wilmington Police Department, Carolina Beach Police Department, and Wrightsville Beach Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its jurisdiction, handling local crimes and traffic enforcement. These agencies often collaborate with the Sheriff's Office on major investigations and regional crime issues.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, located at 3950 Juvenile Center Road in Castle Hayne, North Carolina 28429, provides primary law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of New Hanover County and operates New Hanover County detention facility.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the arresting municipal police department.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the Sheriff's Office Inmate Inquiry System for current detainees, and historical booking photos may be requested through formal public records requests.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest reports and related documentation.
New Hanover County Detention Facility, located at the same address, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving misdemeanor sentences. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office website using the Inmate Inquiry System, where the public can search by name or booking number to find current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bond information. Municipal law enforcement within New Hanover County includes the Wilmington Police Department (serving the city of Wilmington), Wrightsville Beach Police Department, Carolina Beach Police Department, and Kure Beach Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their respective municipal boundaries.
Arrest records and booking information in New Hanover County are public records under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, the North Carolina Public Records Law, which mandates that public records be made available for inspection and examination by any person unless specifically exempted. No tribal law enforcement agencies operate within New Hanover County, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands in New Hanover County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in New Hanover County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and sex offender registry information. Background checks can be conducted through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which provides full criminal history reports. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation offers resources for residents to access statewide criminal records, making sure of thorough background checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in New Hanover County are maintained by New Hanover County Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. An arrest record typically includes the individual's name, charges, booking date, and arresting agency. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, these records are accessible to the public, for public access in law enforcement activities.
Jail & Inmate Records
New Hanover County Detention Facility is the main jail facility in New Hanover County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within New Hanover County, where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and held until bail is posted or they are released by the court. Inmate information can be accessed through New Hanover County's online inmate lookup system. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, with scheduled times and security protocols in place. The bond process follows North Carolina's guidelines, allowing for cash, property, or bail bond postings.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in New Hanover County are taken and retained by New Hanover County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. North Carolina does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can petition for removal if charges are dropped or if they are found not guilty.
Courts & Case Records
New Hanover County's court system operates under the North Carolina unified court system structure. New Hanover County Courthouse, located at 316 Princess Street in Wilmington, NC 28401, houses both Superior Court and District Court divisions. The courthouse can be contacted through the office’s website. Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, and appeals from District Court.
- District Court exercises jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $25,000, juvenile matters, domestic relations including divorce and child custody, estate matters, and involuntary commitments.
- Fees for certified copies of court documents are established by North Carolina General Statute § 7A-307 and generally cost $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
- Online remote access to certain civil and criminal case information is provided free of charge through the state system, though detailed documents may require in-person or written requests.
- The Clerk of Superior Court also issues marriage licenses and processes passport applications as a designated acceptance facility.
North Carolina also has a Court of Appeals and Supreme Court at the state level for appellate matters. New Hanover County court records are accessible under North Carolina General Statute § 7A-109, which governs public access to court records in the state's judicial system. The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online case lookup system at www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars.html where the public can search criminal and civil cases by party name, case number, or file date.
Court calendars for New Hanover County are also available through this system. The Clerk of Superior Court office, located in the courthouse at 316 Princess Street, maintains official court records, estate files, special proceedings, and civil case files. In-person record searches are available during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Property & Public Records
New Hanover County Register of Deeds office, located at 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 125, Wilmington, NC 28403, is the official repository for land records, property documents, and vital records. The office can be contacted through the office’s website, and their website at nhcgov.com/90/Register-of-Deeds provides full information about available services. The Register of Deeds maintains and records deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, plat maps, easements, rights-of-way, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens, UCC filings, military discharges (DD-214s), and powers of attorney.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page, as established by North Carolina General Statute § 161-10.
- This GIS viewer is free to use and provides valuable spatial data for property research.
- Requests for certified tax documents should be directed to the Tax Assessor's office during regular business hours.
New Hanover County offers a free online property search system through the Register of Deeds website, allowing users to search recorded documents by grantor/grantee name, book and page number, instrument type, and date range. Land records dating back to New Hanover County's earliest recordings are indexed and available. Document images can be viewed and printed online at no charge for informational purposes.
New Hanover County Tax Assessor's office, located at 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403, maintains property tax records, assessment values, and ownership information. The Tax Assessor can be contacted through the office’s website. Property tax records are searchable online through New Hanover County's property portal at property.nhcgov.com, where users can search by owner name, address, parcel number, or deed reference to access current and historical tax information, assessed values, property characteristics, sale history, and tax payment status. New Hanover County also maintains a full GIS mapping system accessible through gis.nhcgov.com, providing interactive parcel maps, zoning information, flood zones, and aerial imagery.
Vital Records
Vital records for New Hanover County, North Carolina, are maintained by both New Hanover County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. Birth certificates for births occurring in New Hanover County from October 1913 forward can be requested from the Register of Deeds office at 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 125, Wilmington, NC 28403, or by calling. The fee for a certified birth certificate is $24.00 for the first copy and $15.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
- Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for mail requests and same-day service for walk-in requests if the record is readily located.
- Marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Deeds office in New Hanover County; couples must apply in person, both parties must be present, and the fee is $60.00.
- Marriage certificates can be obtained from the same office for $10.00 per certified copy.
- Divorce records are not maintained by the Register of Deeds; certified copies of divorce decrees must be requested from the Clerk of Superior Court at New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess Street, Wilmington.
- The state office offers online ordering through VitalChek with expedited processing options available for an additional fee.
Death certificates for deaths occurring in New Hanover County from 1913 forward are also available through the Register of Deeds at the same fee structure: $24.00 for the first certified copy and $15.00 for each additional copy. Authorized applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by North Carolina General Statute § 130A-93, which governs access to vital records and restricts access to family members, legal representatives, and other qualifying parties. There is no waiting period in North Carolina, and licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance.
For vital records older than those held at New Hanover County level, or for additional copies, the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics in Raleigh can be contacted at or online at vitalrecords.nc.gov.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in New Hanover County are maintained at multiple levels of government. New Hanover County Register of Deeds office records assumed name certificates (doing business as or DBA filings) for businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name, as required by North Carolina General Statute § 66-68. These filings can be searched through the Register of Deeds office at 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 125, Wilmington, NC 28403, or by calling. The filing fee for an assumed name certificate is $26.00.
- The Secretary of State's Corporations Division provides a free online search tool where users can look up business entities by name, registered agent, or business ID number.
- This database includes charter information, registered agent details, annual report status, and administrative dissolution records.
- Permit records can be searched online through New Hanover County's e-permitting portal.
For full business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, the North Carolina Secretary of State maintains the official business registry accessible online at www.sosnc.gov. Business licenses at the local level in New Hanover County are administered by the City of Wilmington for businesses operating within city limits. The City of Wilmington Business License office can be contacted through the office’s website. Certain regulated professions require state-level licensing through the North Carolina licensing boards.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and development permits for New Hanover County are issued by New Hanover County Planning and Inspections Department, located at 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 Sales tax permits and withholding tax accounts are administered by the North Carolina Department of Revenue. The Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal serve business communities in New Hanover County, while the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, accessible at wilmingtonchamber.org, provides business networking, advocacy, and economic development support.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in New Hanover County are administered by New Hanover County Board of Elections, located at 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 111, Wilmington, NC 28403. The office can be contacted through the office’s website, and their website at nhcgov.com/161/Board-of-Elections provides full voter information, election calendars, sample ballots, and election results.
- North Carolina does not have same-day registration except during the early voting period when eligible residents may register and vote simultaneously.
- Polling locations are also listed on voter registration cards mailed to registered voters before each election.
- These records can be requested from the Board of Elections and many are posted online after each election.
- In the November 2024 general election, New Hanover County experienced voter turnout of approximately 68% of registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of presidential election years.
- To request an absentee ballot in New Hanover County, voters must submit a completed Absentee Ballot Request Form to New Hanover County Board of Elections.
Voter registration in New Hanover County can be completed online through the North Carolina State Board of Elections at ncsbe.gov/registering, in person at the Board of Elections office, at the NC Division of Motor Vehicles during license transactions, or by submitting a completed mail-in registration form. The registration deadline is 25 days before any election in North Carolina. To find your polling place in New Hanover County, voters can use the Polling Place Lookup tool on the State Board of Elections website or contact New Hanover County Board of Elections directly.
Election records that are public in New Hanover County include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted under North Carolina General Statute § 163-82.10), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot statistics. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, state legislative seats, some judicial positions, and potentially county offices depending on the election cycle.
The form is available on New Hanover County elections website or the state board website. Requests must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before the election, though earlier submission is strongly recommended. North Carolina law allows any registered voter to vote by mail absentee without needing to provide a reason.
Military and overseas voters have special provisions and extended deadlines under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). New Hanover County's election administration is subject to North Carolina General Statute Chapter 163, which governs election procedures, early voting (required to be offered for 17 days before Election Day), and public records access. New Hanover County Board of Elections conducts post-election audits, processes provisional ballots, and certifies results under state law.
Citizens may observe ballot counting and request copies of election materials under public records law, for public access in the electoral process.
Economy & Demographics
New Hanover County's economy is diverse and anchored by several major sectors including healthcare, education, tourism, maritime commerce, and film production. New Hanover County's largest employer is New Hanover Regional Medical Center (now Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center), a major healthcare system serving southeastern North Carolina with over 6,000 employees.
- New Hanover County's median household income is estimated at approximately $62,000, slightly above the state median.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is another significant employer with approximately 3,000 faculty and staff, contributing both jobs and substantial economic activity through its research programs and student population of over 17,000. The Port of Wilmington, North Carolina's only deepwater port, handles millions of tons of cargo annually and supports thousands of jobs in logistics, warehousing, and international trade. The tourism and hospitality sector is vital to the local economy, with beaches, historic attractions, and the Cape Fear River drawing millions of visitors annually who support hotels, restaurants, retail, and recreational businesses.
The film and television production industry has been a distinctive economic driver since the 1980s, with EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington serving as the largest full-service film studio outside of California, though production activity has fluctuated with changes to state tax incentive programs. Major corporations with significant presence include PPD (now Thermo Fisher Scientific), a global contract research organization employing hundreds in clinical research; Corning Inc, which operates a fiber optics manufacturing facility; and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, with an engineering and manufacturing campus. The defense sector contributes through Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point in nearby Brunswick County and Coast Guard operations.
Unemployment in New Hanover County has generally tracked below state and national averages in recent years, with rates around 3-4% in normal economic conditions. Economic development priorities include downtown Wilmington revitalization, expansion of the Innovation Quarter focused on technology and life sciences, infrastructure improvements to support port expansion, and workforce development initiatives in partnership with Cape Fear Community College. New Hanover County's coastal location, quality of life amenities, and growing population continue to attract new businesses and remote workers.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Yes: Available In-Person & By Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State & County) | Elections: Yes: Online Results & Voter Tools | Overall Score: 9/10, New Hanover County provides excellent digital access to most public records with online portals for property, court, and election data, along with responsive in-person services.
Official Government Resources
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Cities & Towns in New Hanover County
Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in New Hanover County, North Carolina.